Turkey President open threat to enter Israel to help Palestinians: Report…

President Tayyip Erdogan said yesterday, Sunday 28th July 2024 in a statement that Turkey might enter Israel as it had done in the past in Libya and Nagorno Karabakh, though he didn’t spell out what exactly he was referring to leaving the political world guessing what can be going on in his mind. 

Turkey had been a fierce critic of Israel’s occupation of the Gaza Strip and this statement is a direct warning to Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu’s government in Tel Aviv that it has been waging the fierce battle since last year’s October 13 after Hamas attacked the borders and capital city of Tel Aviv by rocket launchers on 7th Oct 2023. 

Erdogan in his speech while praising his defence ministry mentioned, “We must be very strong so that Israel can’t do ridiculous things to Palestine. Just like we entered Karabakh, just like we entered Libya, we might do something similar to them”. This came while he addressed a meeting of his ruling AK party in his hometown Rize.

He went on to add in the televised address, “There is no reason why we cannot do this… we must be strong enough so that we can take these steps.” AK Party representatives did not respond to calls asking for the President’s comments. Israel also didn’t make any comment initially. It can be understood that the Turkish President is referring to the country’s past military actions. It has to be seen what actions follow afterwards. 

In 2020, Turkey sent its army to Libya in support of the UN recognised Government of National Accord in Libya. Libyan Prime Minister Abdulhamid al-Dbeibah, who heads the Government of National Unity in Tripoli is backed by Turkey. 

Turkey has completely denied its involvement in the military operations of Azerbaijan in Nagorno Karabakh, but released a statement that referred to it as using all means, including military training and modernisation to support its close allies.